Hatch Stamping Chooses Plexus Online From Plexus Systems

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 8, 2005 -- Plexus Systems today announced that Hatch Stamping Company, a world-class manufacturer of metal stampings and assemblies, has chosen the Plexus Online manufacturing information system to integrate its diverse operating systems and provide a single, global view of its business operations.

Plexus Online allows Hatch Stamping to track and manage its entire business in real time through a web browser, from Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and sales to purchasing, production, quality, shipping and accounting. It will integrate the company's 13 separate operating systems, manage growth and help maintain lean practices. It also will provide Hatch Stamping with key metrics, supply chain management, a continuous improvement module and detailed traceability.

"In addition to the traditional functionally of an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, we wanted integrated program management, EDI/Release accounting, full quality system, human resources, maintenance, tooling and shop floor control with machine integration," said Judi Wooten, Director of Systems and Human Resources at Hatch Stamping. "Plexus Online provides all of this functionality without compromise in a seamless single online system."

"Having separate systems would not yield either the cost benefits or functionality we required," said Wooten. "Plexus Online reduces our costs because it uses a single user interface, runs on any PC with Internet access and does not require a server."

The decision to use Plexus Online ends Hatch Stamping's exhaustive six- year search to replace its numerous individual systems with a new ERP system that encompassed all areas of the enterprise, multiple vendors with unique user interfaces, database and servers, training requirements and cost.

"Software systems do not make parts," said Dan Craig, President and CEO of Hatch Stamping Company. "Any investment of this type has to show me a return. Plexus eliminated the cost and complexity of multiple separate systems tied together. The single database and controls it provides for data accuracy convinced me that this was the end of our search."

The individual systems Hatch Stampings was using required separate IT expertise with additional and specific hardware, software and training requirements and did not easily share information. MRO purchases did not integrate with inventory or the purchasing system. Microsoft Office was used for program management, but it did not integrate with production data. Barcode generation was a separate program. Quality was manual and document control was separate for quality and shop floor data. Human Resources was done manually and EDI specification required programming expertise.

"Hatch Stamping wanted the best, complete, state-of-the-art manufacturing information system. They are a very successful supplier and will add to that success by implementing Plexus Online," said Jane Warner, President of Plexus Systems.

About Hatch Stamping

Hatch Stamping Company, located in Chelsea, MI, is a world-class leader in the design and manufacturing of metal stampings and assemblies. Hatch Stamping provides Design, Prototype Construction, Progressive Die Construction, Stampings, and Assemblies. Hatch is the automotive stamping and assembly benchmark for innovation, technology, quality, delivery, and service. Hatch Stamping's capabilities include a wide range of progressive and transfer technology from 75 ton to 1000 ton. It also provides resistance welding, robotic mig welding, robotic and automated component assembly, tapping, and staking. Hatch has more than 400 employees in five locations in the United States and Mexico.

About Plexus Systems

Plexus Systems is the premier provider of online business solutions. Plexus Online is a fully-integrated software solution for manufacturing companies and provides the features and flexibility to manage complete operations. Plexus Online is available as one or more modules as well as a complete enterprise system. Each of its modules provides a base set of industry-driven capabilities plus the flexibility to be configured to customer specific needs.

Founded in 1995, Plexus Systems (http://www.plex.com/ ) is the premier provider of online business solutions for manufacturing companies. The Plexus Online software consists of over 350 modules allowing companies to access all critical information in real time using a simple web browser. Plexus Online includes shop floor control, traceability, quality management, EDI, accounting and many other capabilities that can be configured as a fully-integrated system or as a point solution to augment other ERP software.